Stephen Colbert Announces Final Night Hosting ‘The Late Show’
Stephen Colbert has announced that his hosting stint on “The Late Show” will conclude on May 21, marking the end of a CBS franchise that has significantly influenced late-night television for over 30 years. This decision follows CBS’s cancellation of the show announced last July.
Key Facts About “The Late Show” Cancellation
- Final Air Date: May 21, 2026
- Show Launch: The program debuted in 1993.
- Original Host: David Letterman, who hosted for 22 years.
- Colbert’s Tenure: Stephen Colbert has been the host since 2015.
- Financial Reason: CBS states that the cancellation is a financial decision amid challenges in the late-night segment.
- Streamed Content: Younger audiences prefer online clips over traditional broadcasts.
- Awards: The show won the Emmy for best talk series in September.
- Upcoming Recognition: Colbert will receive the Writers Guild of America East’s Walter Bernstein Award next month.
Context and Implications
This announcement came during a taping of NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” scheduled to air on January 27. Colbert expressed his disappointment, highlighting the significance of the show’s closure. He noted that it’s not merely the end of a program but the end of “The Late Show” as a CBS brand. Colbert firmly stated, “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
CBS attributed the cancellation to the ongoing financial crisis affecting late-night shows, as they face increasing competition from streaming platforms. This trend has drawn viewers away from traditional airtime, significantly impacting advertising revenue that was once a staple of late-night profitability.
Despite the cancellation news, Colbert has continued to deliver sharp political commentary, maintaining the show’s critical engagement with current events.
